My fishtank has green algae on it and I want to know whats the best way to get rid of it? Its no where near a window and it has adequit lighting...thanks
2007-04-30 17:55:39 · 10 answers · asked by Tabitha 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
I have live plants...will leaving the lights out kill them?
2007-04-30 18:05:16 · update #1
If you like plants, buy more. They will utilize the nutrients that the algae would have used. Essentially the plants will out compete the algae. A decent pleco will help too.
2007-05-01 03:47:03 · answer #1 · answered by duretteg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to control algae is to control what feeds it. Light and nutrients in the water. Keep your lights off except when you are there to enjoy the tank and only have them on a max of about 10 hours a day. Less would be better. Also, be sure you change at least 25% of the water while cleaning the gravel once a week. If the algae doesn't get better in a week or two, do a little bigger water changes.
That really is the best long term solution to algae problems.
MM
2007-05-01 01:03:54 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wipe off the sides of your tank with a clean rag (Without anything on it) and get some test kits. Make sure your ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and pH is ok. Do a few 25% water changes with a gravel cleaner and get some live plants. Live plants eat what algae needs to grow. Lots of live plants = No algae.
How big is the tank and how many plants do you have? How big are the plants? Our tanks are full of plants (And get around 13-15 hours of light a day.) and we never have any algae. Not even small strans on the walls of the tanks. Depending on your plant amounts and tank size you might need to either get more plants or an algae eater. Plants would be your best bet. I wouldn't suggest Chinese Algae Eaters. They get horribly agreesive. I'd recommend a Pleco as long as you have atleast a 30G tank, more if you have bigger fish in your tanks. (They get up to 18in long.)
2007-05-01 01:05:58 · answer #3 · answered by ixmissyoucupcake 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi
There are many ways to control algae growth, my favourite is bristlenose catfish, i love these fish and there good at controlling algae. there are many variaties of catfish, but compatability can somtimes be a problem. there are a wide variety of chemicals, from liquids, to blocks that slowly disolve, magnetic cleaners are also very easy to use and very handy. I would suggest controlling the amount of light, electric timers are good for this becaure they do it automatically.
The best way is a combination of cleaning algae off with a magnetic cleaner/or using a cloth etc, and catfish. if these don't work then use chemicals.
2007-05-01 05:05:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Algae requires light and food to grow. Food for algae is Ammonia, Nitrite or Nitrate. Lower the lights or shorten the photoperiod,and change water more frequently,also vacuum the "stuff" out of the gravel.
2007-05-01 01:02:04 · answer #5 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can use chemicals to treat. I prefer a little bit of elbow grease during each water change. My tanks (I have 12) get the right light and every now and then I get algae to.
The nets that your oranges come in are also great for this.
Check your ph levels too.
2007-05-01 01:03:55 · answer #6 · answered by The Fish Chick 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can buy a pleco or chinese algae eater to eat the algae. Or you can block off all sunlight and not turn on the light.
2007-05-01 01:09:57 · answer #7 · answered by ZooTycoonMaster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a pleco fish or any other Algae eating fish. just ask the people at the pet store they'll know what to do.
2007-05-01 01:36:47 · answer #8 · answered by Brian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is this thing that is a magnet that gets between the glasses, and cleans the glass . it really works !
2007-05-01 01:04:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use ramshorn snails. or, get an old toothbrush and scrub when you do full water changes.
2007-05-01 07:12:32 · answer #10 · answered by philly28 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋